Release Detail

January 12, 2005 - Connecticut Voters Back Death Penalty,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
Given Choice, More Prefer Life Without Parole

When asked whether they favor or oppose the death penalty,
Connecticut voters favor it 59 - 31 percent, according to a
Quinnipiac University poll released today. When offered the
alternative, however, of life in prison with no chance of parole,
voters prefer the life option over the death penalty 49 - 37
percent.

In the favor/oppose question, men favor the death penalty 65
- 27 percent, while women favor it 54 - 35 percent. Republicans
are 71 - 23 percent in favor of the death penalty, with Democrats
in favor 48 - 43 percent and independent voters in favor 62 - 27
percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University
poll finds.

"The upcoming execution of Michael Ross comes at a time when
most Connecticut voters, 59 percent, support the death penalty.
In the case of Michael Ross, support for the death penalty rises
to 70 percent, as 25 percent of voters who generally oppose the
death penalty would make an exception in his case," said
Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D.

"Connecticut voters views on the death penalty are similar
to voters nationwide. Support for the death penalty drops
dramatically when voters are presented with the alternative of
life in prison with no chance of parole," Dr. Schwartz added.

When asked whether appeals to Ross' death sentence should be
mandatory, or whether he should be allowed to die without
further appeal, Connecticut voters say
85 - 9 percent that Ross should be allowed to die.

In an open-ended question, allowing for any answer, 57
percent of those who favor the death penalty cite retribution in
some form as the main reason for their position.

Of those opposed to the death penalty, 58 percent cite moral
or religious beliefs.

Among Connecticut voters, 31 percent think more favorably of
Gov. Jodi Rell for refusing to delay Ross' execution, while 6
percent think less favorably and 61 percent say this does not
affect their opinion of Gov. Rell.

Everyone convicted of murder should receive the death
penalty, 6 percent of voters say, with 20 percent who say no one
should get the death penalty and 73 percent who say the death
penalty should depend on the circumstances of each case.

By a 54 - 40 percent margin, Connecticut voters do not think
the death penalty deters others from committing murder.

Only 18 percent of voters think death by lethal injection is
cruel and unusual punishment, with 75 percent who say it is not.

From January 7 - 10, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,287
Connecticut registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.7
percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll conducts public opinion
surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania,
Florida and the nation as a public service and for research.

For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu and quicklinks

TREND: Do you favor or oppose the death penalty for persons convicted
of murder?
(*Mar,1998 question wording, "Generally speaking, do you...")

TREND: Which statement comes closest to your point of view?
(A) All persons convicted of murder should get the death penalty.
(B) No one convicted of murder should get the death penalty.
(C) Whether or not someone convicted of murder gets the death penalty
should depend on the circumstances of the case.

(A) (B) (C)
All No one Depends DK/NA

Jan 12, 2005 6 20 73 2
Apr 23, 2001 8 15 76 1
Jun 22, 2000 9 16 73 2

TREND: Do you think that the death penalty deters others from
committing
murder or not?

Yes No DK/NA

Jan 12, 2005 40 54 6
Apr 23, 2001 34 62 4
Jun 22, 2000 39 56 5

18. Do you favor or oppose the death penalty for persons convicted of
murder?

21. Which statement comes closest to your point of view?
(A) All persons convicted of murder should get the death penalty,
(B) No one convicted of murder should get the death penalty, or
(C) Whether or not someone convicted of murder gets the death penalty
should depend on the circumstances of the case?

22. Michael Ross has admitted killing eight women in Connecticut and
New
York in the early 1980s. He is on Connecticut's death row for the
murders
of four of those women. He is scheduled to be executed on January 26.
How much have you heard or read about Michael Ross' upcoming execution
-
A lot, some, only a little, or nothing at all?

25. Michael Ross has said he doesn't want to pursue any further appeals
of his death sentence. Should further appeals of his death sentence be
mandatory, or should he be allowed to die without further appeals?